Mahesh Dhoundiyal – Delhi
The Delhi Veterinary Association (DVA) was established in 1978, and the association has been constantly committed to the welfare of veterinarians, the betterment of animal welfare, and contributing positively to society in collaboration with the Delhi Government and MCD.
Every year DVA is organizing a Free Animal Treatment and Anti Rabies camp in collaboration with the Delhi Government, MCD, NGOs like Sonadi Trust, and private pet practitioners in Delhi.
On the occasion of World Zoonosis Day 6th July 2024, the Delhi Veterinary Association in association with Animal Husbandry Unit, Development Department, and GNCTD organized Animal Welfare & Awareness Camp in Nangli Dairy Colony and door to door awareness drive in Kakrola Dairy Colony of Delhi. This awareness camp and drive were also supported by the Sonadi Charitable Trust (NGO) and the Human, Animal & Environment Welfare Trust (NGO).
The main objective of the awareness drive was to educate laborers and dairy owners working in Dairy Colonies about the ban on the use of Oxytocin Injection for milk letdown in dairy animals. The dairy owners were informed about the steps to be taken care of to avoid any kind of animal cruelty in dairy colonies which includes loosening rope tied to animals, providing sufficient space for dairy animals, providing proper ventilation facilities, and using of exhaust fan and cooler in summer. Further, Dairy Owners were informed about the proper system for drainage of urine and water from the dairy and the collection & disposal of dung to keep the dairy colony clean.
As 6th July is celebrated as World Zoonosis Day all over the world, dairy owners and laborers were educated about the role of Zoonotic Diseases and their impact and various ways of prevention. The main focus was on one of the most important Zoonotic Diseases Brucellosis which is commonly encountered by dairy owners/ labourers/ veterinary staff. The dairy owners/laborers working in the dairy colony were made aware of the Brucellosis disease and its signs & symptoms. They were also informed about the various ways of transmission of this disease to humans and its signs & symptoms in human beings. Dairy owners and laborers were educated about all the precautionary steps that should be taken while handling suspected animals (for Brucellosis). In addition to this, it is also informed to dairy owners that Govt. of India and the Delhi Government are providing free Brucellosis vaccination to female calves aged between 4 to 8 months through Govt. Veterinary Hospitals/Dispensaries in Delhi. Awareness about zoonotic diseases can keep dairy owners/laborers safe from zoonotic diseases like Brucellosis and prevent the spread of the disease. More than 100 dairy owners/laborers benefitted from the awareness camp and door-to-door awareness drive.
Further, it is informed that other important livestock disease vaccines like Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (H.S) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMDV) are also being provided free of cost through Govt. Veterinary Hospitals/Dispensaries.
The program was chaired by Dr. Vijay Kumar, President, DVA (elected VCI member), and the Chief Guest for the program was Dr. Satish Kumar Dabas (Patron, DVA), one of the Senior Veterinarians in Delhi. The veterinary subject matter experts, including Dr. Vijay Kumar Dagar (Joint Secretary, DVA), Dr. Sunil Kumar Choudhary (EC Member) and Dr. Abhishek Sharma (EC Member), are working as Veterinary Officers in the Animal Husbandry Unit of Govt. of NCT of Delhi. The program was organized and coordinated by Dr. Keshav Kumar Sharma, (Senior Most Veterinary Officer) and Dr. Rahul M Pawar (General Secretary, DVA). The above-mentioned officers and experts are life members of the Delhi Veterinary Association and hold various positions on the executive committee of the association. The Delhi Veterinary Association is committed to carrying out more such programs in the future for the welfare of animals, animal owners, and veterinarians working in the NCT of Delhi.
